BELLE VUE
Belle Vue was a League ground for 80 seasons
from 1 Jul 2003 to 30 Dec 2006
and from 24 Aug 1923 to 30 Jun 1998
The 139th ground used for a League game
Current capacity: 11,500
Opened: 1922 • Closed: 2006
TENANTS
Teams that have used this ground as a home
| Team | From | To | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Doncaster Rovers | 1 Aug 1922 | 30 Dec 2006 |
The club moved here from Bennetthorpe in 1922, was elected into the Football League Division 3 [N] in 1923, relegated to the Football Conference in 1998 and promoted back into the League via the Play Offs in 2003. The club moved to Keepmoat Stadium at the beginning of 2007. The number of games played includes expunged matches v. Accrington Stanley on February 27th, 1962 & v. Aldershot on February 15th, 1992. |
LEAGUE EVENTS
Promotions, relegations and ground moves associated with this ground
| Date | Team | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Aug 1922 | Doncaster Rovers | Moved from Bennetthorpe to Belle Vue |
| 1 Jul 1923 | Doncaster Rovers | Expansion of Division 3 North |
| 30 Jun 1998 | Doncaster Rovers | Relegated from the League |
| 1 Jul 2003 | Doncaster Rovers | Promoted to the League |
| 1 Jan 2007 | Doncaster Rovers | Moved from Belle Vue to Keepmoat Stadium |
GROUND HISTORY
adapted from "The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds"
Located at the south end of Doncaster Racecourse, Belle Vue opened in 1922 when Doncaster Rovers FC moved here from Bennetthorpe. The banking around the ground and foundation for the pitch were formed from ash which had been transported from local coal tips and the facilities included a new stand (later extended), along the north side, and the 700 seat stand removed from Bennetthorpe and re-erected at the west end. Subsequently, the Popular Side, opposite the main stand, was expanded and covered in 1938 but in the 1980s both this cover and the North Stand had to be demolished for safety reasons. A large section of the east end was also removed to accommodate a ball court and, following mining subsidence, the south or Popular side was re-modelled in 1989 and a replacement cover installed. The main stand was seriously damaged, although not destroyed, by an arson attack in 1995.
The club moved to the Council-built Keepmoat Stadium at the beginning of 2007.
The main claim to fame of Belle Vue was that at 118 x 77 yards the pitch was the largest in the Football League, but this was latterly reduced in size. At the start of the 2004/5 season, the capacity was 9,706 with 1,259 seats.
The club moved to the Council-built Keepmoat Stadium at the beginning of 2007.
The main claim to fame of Belle Vue was that at 118 x 77 yards the pitch was the largest in the Football League, but this was latterly reduced in size. At the start of the 2004/5 season, the capacity was 9,706 with 1,259 seats.